BBQ brisket shredded and served with fries Oven-Braised BBQ Brisket BBQ chicken thighs served Sticky BBQ Chicken Thighs (Oven Baked) BBQ ribs served with corn on the cob Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs with Buttered Corn Irish pear cider served fresh Irish Pear & Cider Cocktail Holiday apple cider served in a glass Mulled Holiday Apple Cider with Orange Spiced cherry cider served in a glass Spiced Cherry Apple Cider Glass of blueberry mint lemonade Blueberry Mint Lemonade with Homemade Syrup Blueberry iced tea in a glass Fresh Blueberry Iced Tea Blueberry liqueur in a bottle Homemade Blueberry Vodka Liqueur Green Apple Cider served fresh Iced Granny Smith Apple Cider Mocktail Green tea with lemon served fresh Classic Lemon Green Tea Vanilla latte served fresh Homemade Vanilla Bean Latte Fiery spiced cider in a glass Spicy Ginger-Chili Apple Cider Oak Aged Cider served in a glass Bourbon-Barrel Style Spiced Apple Cider Winter fruit tea served in a glass Spiced Winter Fruit Tea with Rosehips Tropical fruit tea served in a glass Tropical Green Tea Punch with Mango and Pineapple Salted Caramel Cider in a glass Salted Caramel Apple Cider Cantaloupe smoothie in a glass Creamy Cantaloupe & Yogurt Smoothie Plum Vanilla Cider served Vanilla-Plum Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail Spiced Plum Tea served in a glass Spiced Plum Tea Infusion BBQ brisket shredded and served with fries Oven-Braised BBQ Brisket BBQ chicken thighs served Sticky BBQ Chicken Thighs (Oven Baked) BBQ ribs served with corn on the cob Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs with Buttered Corn Irish pear cider served fresh Irish Pear & Cider Cocktail Holiday apple cider served in a glass Mulled Holiday Apple Cider with Orange Spiced cherry cider served in a glass Spiced Cherry Apple Cider Glass of blueberry mint lemonade Blueberry Mint Lemonade with Homemade Syrup Blueberry iced tea in a glass Fresh Blueberry Iced Tea Blueberry liqueur in a bottle Homemade Blueberry Vodka Liqueur Green Apple Cider served fresh Iced Granny Smith Apple Cider Mocktail Green tea with lemon served fresh Classic Lemon Green Tea Vanilla latte served fresh Homemade Vanilla Bean Latte Fiery spiced cider in a glass Spicy Ginger-Chili Apple Cider Oak Aged Cider served in a glass Bourbon-Barrel Style Spiced Apple Cider Winter fruit tea served in a glass Spiced Winter Fruit Tea with Rosehips Tropical fruit tea served in a glass Tropical Green Tea Punch with Mango and Pineapple Salted Caramel Cider in a glass Salted Caramel Apple Cider Cantaloupe smoothie in a glass Creamy Cantaloupe & Yogurt Smoothie Plum Vanilla Cider served Vanilla-Plum Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail Spiced Plum Tea served in a glass Spiced Plum Tea Infusion
Doro Wat served with hard boiled egg and injera bread
Authentic Ethiopian Doro Wat chicken curry in spicy sauce

Ethiopian Spicy Chicken Stew (Doro Wat)

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Main Courses
The crown jewel of Ethiopian cuisine. The soul of this dish lies in the incredibly slow caramelization of onions and the fiery heat of the 'Berbere' spice blend. Traditionally, onions are cooked without fat first, allowing them to steam in their own juices before roasting to sweetness.
🕒 Prep Time 30 mins
🍳 Cook Time 1 hr 30 mins
⌛ Total Time 2 hrs
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 550 kcal
🌍 Cuisine African (Ethiopian)

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Heavy-bottomed pot
  • Lid

Allergen Information

⚠️ Egg
⚠️ Milk

Instructions

1 ✓

Place the onions in a dry pot over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until moisture evaporates and they begin to brown (approx. 20-30 mins). Only then add the butter/ghee.

Tip: Slow caramelization gives the sauce its dark color and deep, sweet foundation.
2 ✓

Add the garlic, ginger, and Berbere spice. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant, then stir in the tomato paste.

Tip: Frying spices in fat releases their essential oils for maximum intensity.
3 ✓

Add the chicken, toss to coat, then pour in the stock. Cover and simmer on low for 45-50 minutes until tender.

Tip: Slow braising softens the chicken connective tissue while thickening the sauce.
4 ✓

In the last 10 minutes, add the whole hard-boiled eggs. Prick them with a fork so they absorb the sauce.

Tip: The egg white absorbs the spicy sauce, creating a unique texture.

Recipe FAQ

It's too spicy!
Berbere is potent. Serve with extra hard-boiled eggs or plain yogurt to tame the heat.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs (skinless)
  • 4 whole Red Onions (finely minced or pulsed in food processor)
  • 5 cloves Garlic (minced)
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Ginger (grated)
  • 3 tbsp Berbere Spice Blend
  • 1 stick Spiced Clarified Butter (Niter Kibbeh) or Ghee (4 oz)
  • 2 tbsp Tomato Paste
  • 4 whole Hard Boiled Eggs (peeled)
  • 2 cups Chicken Stock or Water